Time is running out for customers of Verizon Communications and Sprint to claim $158 million in refunds from a settlement over mobile "cramming."
The settlement followed an investigation that found Verizon and Sprint charged customers millions of dollars for premium third-party text message services. The companies typically levied fees of $9.99 a month for the services, according to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Services such as astrology, celebrity gossip, and sports tips were included in fine print, according to NBC News.
Verizon and Sprint both kept at least 30 percent of the unauthorized fees they billed. Many consumers complained that they had been denied refunds for the charges, the FCC said.
To claim the refund, customers must file a claim on the refund websites for Sprint and Verizon. The deadline to file a claim is December 31st.